Clod-crusher and sod-cutter.



No. 662,366. Patented Nov. 20, |960.A s. T. PAYNE.

CLUD CRUS'HEB AND SOD CUTTER.

(Application filed Mar. 10, 1900.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-$heet l.

No. 662,366. Patented Nov. 20,1900.

s. T. PAYNE. CLOD CRUSHER AND SDD CUTTER.

(Applicaci'unled mar. 1o, 190mg (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 662,366. Paiented Nov. 20, |900. S. T. PAYNE.

CLOD CHUVSHER AND SDD CUTTER.

(Appxicmionmed Mar. 1o, 1900.. (No Modpl.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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IIN-tfno artnr tries.

STEPHEN THOMAS PAYNE, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

'CLOD-CRUUSHER AND SODCUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,366, dated November20, 1900. Application led March l0, 1900. Serial N0 31217- (NO model-lqwhich the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved clod-crusher and sod-cutter, the object ofmy invention being to provide a clod-crusher and sod-cutter which isadapted to conform to inequalities of the ground, so as to effectivelyoperate on ridges and hollow places, as Well as upon level land, andwhich shall be adapted to be readily thrown into and out of gear, ofeasy draft, and easily operated and controlled.

My invention consists in the combination, with a su pporting-fraine andoperating-gear, of a roller which is centrally jointed, and therebyadapted to adjust itself to inequalities of the ground and is providedwith a series of clod-crushing and sod-cutting teeth adapted todisintegrate clods and sods, which roller is adapted to be raised fromand lowered to the ground at Will and is revoluble in advance of thesupportingwheels of the main frame.

My invention further consists in the peculiar construction andcombination of devices hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinalsectional View of a clod-crusher and sod-cutter embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detailelevation of the jointed shaft-rod of the roller. Fig. et is a detailsectional view of the same. Fig. 5 is a detail View of the power-shaftand its connections, whereby said power-shaft is adapted forlongitudinal movement under the main frame. Fig. 6 is a detail sectionalview at right angles to Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of oneof the supporting or driving wheels of the machine and the bearingstherefor. Fig. 8 is a detail view of one of the clod-crushing andsod-cutting teeth.

In the embodiment of my invention I provide a main supporting-frame l,which may be of any suitable construction and, as here shown, isprovided on its under side at its center with bearing-blocks 2, in whichis journaled a shaft 3, which forms the axle for a pairofdrivingandsupporting wheels 4. Each of said wheels is adapted for independentrotation on said shaft and has a ball-bearing 5. Secured on the innerside of each of the said wheels, to the spokes thereof, is agear wheelor rim 6, which is provided with inte rnal spurteeth 7. A suitabletongue 8 projects forward from the machine and is centrally disposedthereon, tbe rear portion of said tongue extending lengthwise over thecenter of the frame 1 and being bolted thereto, as at 9. On the rearportion of the said tongue is secured the seat 10, of usualconstruction, for the driver.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1 that the frame is balanced onthe shaft 3 and that the Weight of the driver, when the machine is inoperation, tends to balance that of the roller-frame, hereinafterdescribed. If preferred, the seatbar 11 may be adjustably secured on therear portion of the tongue or beam that projects longitudinally on thecenter of the frame 1, so that the seat and the weight of the driver maybe shifted forward and rearward on the rear portion of the frame.

A shaft 12 is journaled in bearing-blocks 13, which are fitted andadapted for longitudinal movement in supporting-guideways 11i on theunder side of the frame 1 at a suitable distance in advance of the shaft.3, and on the said shaft 12, at the ends thereof, are spur-pinions 15,which are adapted to engage the front sides of the internally-spurredgearwheels 6, so that rotary motion may be communicated 1to the shaft12, as will be readily understood. Said shaft 12 is further providedwith sprocket-wheels 16.

A roller shaft or rod 17, which is rectangular in cross-section, iscomposed of two sections 18, joined together at their opposing ends by abadanti-socket or other suitable joint 19. Each of the said sections 19is also extensible, being provided with telescoping sections, as at 2021 of Fig. 4. On the said shaft or rod are placed a series ofclodjcrushing and sod-cutting teeth 22, each of which is of the formshown in Figs.'1 and 8, having two oppositelyextending points 23, whichincline in opposite directions. Each of the said teeth 22 is providedwith a central rec- IOO tween certain of said teeth at appropriatepoints on said shaft or rod 17 are a pair of sprocket-wheels 26, whichare considerably less in diameter than the sprocket-wheels 16 on theshaft 12.

rlhe shaft or od 17, together with the teeth 22, constitute theclod-crushing and sod-cutting roller 27, which roller, as herein shown,operates under the front portion of the frame 1 in advance ofgthesupporting-wheels 4.

Link-arms 28, attached to the projecting ends of the shaft or axle 3,extend forward from the same and have their lower front ends providedwith bearings in which rotate the ends of the roller-shaft 17, andsaid'link-arms include joints 29, which adapt them for torsionalmovement corresponding with the flexible roller 27, the joint 19 in thelatter adapting said roller to conform to inequalities in the surface ofthe ground on which itoperates. Link-arms 30, which are similar inconstruction to the link-arms 28, also connect the roller-shaft to theshaft 12, and the sprocket-wheels 26 on said roller-shaft are connectedto the sprocket-wheel 16 on shaft 1'2 by means of endlesssprocket-chains 31.

Ashaft 32 is journaled in suitable bearings,

, as at 33, on the front side of the frame 1 and is provided withrock-arms 34, which are connected to the flexibly-jointed members of theroller 27 by means of suitable chains or other links 35, and said shaftis further provided with an arm 36, which is connected to anelevating-lever 37 bya rod 38. Said lever is located within convenientreach of the driver on the seat 10 and is provided with the usuallocking-segment 38 and spring-actuated detent 39, by means of which saidlever may be secured at any desired adjustment. It will be understoodthat by means of said lever and the connections between the same andvthe members of the liexibly-jointed clod-crushing and sodcutting` rollerthe latter may be raised and lowered at will. When' the roller is raisedand lowered, it moves in an arc the radius of which is drawn from thecenter of the shaft 3, and hence as said roller is raised the link-arms30 cause the shaft 12 to move rearward under the frame, and therebydisengage the pinions 15 from the gear-wheels 6, so that when saidroller is raised it becomes disconnected from the driving-wheels andceases to rotate.

As sh'ownin Figs. 1 and 2, I employ in connection with the,flexibly-jointed clod-crushing and sod-cutting roller a concaved guardor casing 40, which is disposed on the front side thereof in an elevatedposition, partly covering said roller, the said guard or casingcomprising two sections` 4l, attached to the respective link-arms 28 30=on opposite sides of .the machine. I also provide shoes 42 for coveringthe sprocketwheel 26 and fenders 43 to protect the endlesssprocket-wheels 31 from the particles of earthwhich would otherwise bethrown upon them and cause them to get out of order.

It Wi-l'l be understood from the foregoing description and by referenceto the drawings that the roller is rotated at a comparatively `hig hrate of speed and that the teeth thereof,

by successively striking the clods and sods, effectually break up, cut,and disintegrate the same, the machine performing ecient service inputting plowed land in condition for planting.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a clodcrushing andsod-cutting machine,the combination with a main frame havingdriving-gears, a drive-shaft having gears adapted to engage with thedriving-gears,said

drive-shaft being laterally movable in its bearings, a cmd-crushing andsod cutting roller, operatin g connections between the latter and thedrive-shaft, whereby said roller may be rotated, links connecting saidroller with the main frame and means to raise and lower the roller andthereby automatically throw the drive-shaft into and out o'f gear withthe driving-gears, substantially as de.- scribed.'

2. In a clod-crusher and sod-cutter, the combination with a main frame,supporting*- wheels therefor, dri ving-gears rotated' by'saidsupporting-wheels, a clod-crushing and sodcntting roller, link-armsconnecting the latter to the spindles or axles of the supportingwheels,a drive-shaft having gears to engage the driving-gears, bearings forsaid driveshaft whereby the latter may be moved' laterally into and outof gear with the drivinggears, operating connections between saiddrive-shaft and said roller,lihk-arms connecting said roller with saiddrive-shaft, and: means for raising and lowering said roller,substantially as described.

3. In a cl'od-crusher. and sod-cutter, the

combination of a main frame, a exibly-joi'nted clod-crushing andsod-cuttingA roller, sup- IOO IOS

IIO

bly-jointed roller, connections between the my own have hereto affixedmy signature n latter and the frame whereby said roller is the presenceof two Witnesses. supported and guided in advance of said frame and inthe line of draft, and means for STEPHEN THOMAS PAYNE' 5 rotating saidroller and for raising and low- Witnesses:

ering the same, substantially as described. L. B. ALLISON,

In testimony that I Claim the foregoing as M. T. ALLISON.

